India has finalised plans for another civilian trekking expedition to Siachen this October, in a clear reiteration to Pakistan that the forbidding glacial heights are fully under Indian control and remain “non-negotiable” till it accepts Indian conditions.
The first edition of this civilian trek to the Siachen-Saltoro Ridge region last year had Pakistan frothing at the mouth, holding as it did that opening the “disputed territory” for tourism would lead to “serious consequences” and “vitiate the atmosphere for the ongoing peace process”.
But India had cocked a snook at Pakistan by going ahead with the trek — even though there were some last-minute organisational hiccups — to reinforce its stand that not an inch on Siachen would be yielded till Pakistan accepts iron-clad “authentication” of the 110-km Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL), both on the map and on the ground, which separates the two armies in the glacial region.
Indian troops, after all, hold “almost all dominating heights” on Saltoro Ridge, with Pakistani troops being nowhere near the 72-km-long Siachen Glacier. Throwing open the Siachen heights to adventure enthusiasts and mountaineers serves to effectively demolish all Pakistani claims to the contrary.
Defence ministry sources said the Army Adventure Cell would organise the trek to the world’s highest, coldest and costliest battlefield, which no longer witnesses the daily artillery duels after the November 2003 ceasefire, from October 1 to 21 this year. The plan is to take around 40 people, including Army experts, defence scientists, NCC and military school cadets and “civilian volunteers”, on the “unique adventure activity”.
The group will first acclimatise and train at Leh for a week or so before heading for the Siachen base camp for further training on the use of glacial equipment. The actual week-long trek along the Northern Glacier will begin thereafter, with the group transversing the frozen wasteland to a forward post situated over 16,000 feet.
The government, on its part, is also actively encouraging mountaineering expeditions to the region. An Indo-French team, for instance, had climbed the Mamostong Kangri peak, located about 30 km east of the snout of Siachen Glacier, last year.
Incidentally, it was Pakistan’s grant of a permit to a Japanese expedition in 1984 to climb the Rimo Peak, located east of Siachen and overlooking Aksai Chin, in the hope of laying a legal claim to the area, which had acted as the final provocation for India to airlift troops to the region. Indian troops had then swiftly occupied the Saltoro Ridge heights, ranging from 16,000 feet to 22,000 feet, against daunting odds under “Operation Meghdhoot” in April 1984, beating Pakistani troops from doing the same by just a whisker.
Though both India and Pakistan have accepted the need to demilitarise the glacial heights right since 1989, the bone of contention in the protracted negotiations has been the “authentication” of the AGPL beyond the NJ-9842 grid reference point — where the well-delineated Line of Control simply stopped dead in the 1972 Simla Pact — right till the Karakoram Pass.India wants the AGPL to be “authenticated” first as an international safeguard before any troop disengagement, withdrawal and the final demilitarisation of the glacier.
where i can download form for siachin glacier trek 2016?
I would like join siachen trekking in 2016 which is organised by Indian Army. I had experienced in trekking like Kailash manosorvar in 2014( organised by Govt of India) & amarnath in 2015. Please forward how to apply
I would like join siachen trekking in 2016 which is organised by Indian Army. I had experienced in trekking like Kailash manosorvar in 2014( organised by Govt of India) & amarnath in 2015. Please forward the procedure & apllication form etc
Dear sir,
I would like to join siachen glacier trek 2016 what are procedures?
Please email me. – niragmavani11@gmail.com
and my contact number is – 09067093857
Looking forward to be part of Siachen Trek by Indian Army to experience the difficulty face by our Army and the Hardship they go to protect the safety of India in such adverse condition. Have already done few trek and have climed around 17000 feet height. Please let me know the procedure I need to follow to join this trek.
Dear sir,
i like to join siachen glacier trek 2016 what are procedures sir.
Hi
I am interested to join on next trekking. Please let me knw the elligibbility and the other details
Sajna
Dear Sir
in am eagerly waiting to join the next civil trek to Siachen. please do let me know the related formalities and the cost of expenditure. i am already Basic and Advance course trained
Dear sir,
I am keen to join the trek Siachen Glacier. Please tell me the procedure or its preparations. What does it cost. I have done Stok Kangri peak in Ladakh.
Dear Sir,
I have conducted expeditions under my leadership in Lahaul Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, Garhwal and done lot of trekking in himachal for last 20 years. I have completed Advance Mountaineering Course. After reading above article I would like to join expedition in Siachen. May please send me the message at the earliest to prepare and join.
dear sir.
i want to join siachen trek 2014 organized by indian army ..plz let me know the details…mostly prefer in august 14.
dear sir.
i want to join siachen trek 2014 organized by indian army ..plz let me know the details
Dear sir,
I want to join siachen trek for 2014 organized by Indian army plz let me know about the eligibility criteria and all about this.
Dear Sir,
I am interested to join the Siachen trek. What are the eligibility criteria? I have done CHOTA-KAILASH & EVEREST BASE CAMP as a high altitude treks.
Waiting for your reply.
unmesh.
sir, i am very much interested to visit siachen i would lick to experience how our army live there i request you to enroll my name in oct 2013 batch i am ready to complete all formalities including physical fitness i may be helpful to you as i am an anaesthesiologist i have compelited my diploma in anaesthesia in 1991 and since then i am practicing anaesthesia at nanded maharashtra mo.9823191110 thanks
just keep me updated at my email freinds
even i hav got deep interest in this adventure trip wn does the procedure starts for enrolment
hello friends what we hav to incur while on trek with army or it is a free adventure
hello please tell me does trek organised by army cost something
sir
i am interested in future trekking expeditions. please send me more info about that. I have completed NIM, Utterkashi Basic Mountaineering Course.
so please inform me on my email_id – ajit2025@gmail.com
sir,
m very much interested to join the trek to siachin in the month of october so can someone help me with that.
Anuragi
m interested in doing this trek .pl guide me how n wen i can do it. wat formalities i hav to fulfill for the same.
regards
asha
Hi Team
Sir, I would love to be a member of the Siachen Expedition team october this year, I have been to the Mt.Everest Base camp in oct 2010,
hope my experience counts and would be invited take part in the trek.
Best Regards,
Girish Kulkarni
Hi Team, Like all the above people, yes indeed its my dream to trek to Siachen and seen the proud Indian army and greet them. I have done 3 high altitude trek including EBC- 2012. Can someone pls share some information on this Siachen Expedition team- 2012.
Sir, I would love to be a member of the Siachen Expedition team october this year, I have been to the Mt.Everest Base camp in oct 2009which is 17,880 ft.
hope my experience counts and would be invited take part in the trek.
Best Regards,
Ram
govt cant hang this issue for yrs together insorting
allo the youngsters to go there and demonstrate INT NATIONAL community under whose controle it is
I am hariprasad panda.i want to trek Siachen not only for fun its my dream to spend time with the Great Indian heroes who are always the back bone of our peaceful life.Same time i love treking.
last year i been to the Holy kailas mountain with no altitude sickness so i feel my health will permit me on 6300 mt hight.
If you can give me the procedure to enroll in this dream trekking i will be obliged to you.
Hariprasad ( Hindustani )
I would like to run from Manali to Siachen base camp for boosting the morale of Soldiers fighting in such un-hospitable situations.Also my run would attract donations in terms of stuff required by these soldiers on daily basis. Would appreciate if someone can guide me as to the correct unit in the Indian Army to facilitate this dream of mine.
Jai Hind
Paramvir Singh Narang
Sir /Ma’am,
May I put in my candidature for this trek. I have a small trekking experience. I work freelance for major Delhi based Travel companies for their upscale American clients. My responsibilities are to manage and sometimes guide the tourists. I live in Rajasthan.
Sir,
Can I give in my name for the trek too. I work freelance for major Delhi based travel companies for their up scale American clients. I manage and guide these tourists in North India.
Regards.
che
R/Sir,
I am Keen interested to join this treck. Plz send me details about treck and joining.
Thank you
Jai hind sir,
iam Ex. NCC Cadet Sabareesh.P.A. and iam willing to be a part of this expedition to siachen. kindly provide me the details to carry on further procedures
thank you
sir,i want to some more detail about this trek. plz send me details for tour
This year I am still very much keen to join Army/Civilian Siachen Expedition. I will be too glad to know the details to join.
Dilip Kolhatkar
Sir,
I am also keen on this Trek and would appreciate more information on the same.
Dear sir,
I am keen to join the team to Siachen glacier.what are the procedures and the requirements for the said expedition .
thanks
Dear sir,
Last year I have been selected for Siachen Gleciar trek organised under your control, Unfortunatelt due to unprecedented flood on Leh and surrounding areas, it was cancelled. This year I am still keen to join the team to Siachen glacier. Please confirm me the dates and my inclusion in the upcomming Siachen trek
Thanks
Dilip Kolhatkar